I. CLASSIFICATION PLANS 2016-17 TSSAA Handbook BASEBALL AND GIRLS SOFTBALL REGULATIONS A. In Division I, TSSAA schools shall be divided into three classes for baseball and three classes for girls softball tournament play. In Division II, there shall be two classifications for baseball and two for girls softball. II. GENERAL REGULATIONS A. After a team has played their first game, there may not be any more practice games or scrimmages. B. Players that are registered with TSSAA as members of a high school baseball or girls softball squad shall not participate in independent play until the season has closed. For teams not entering the tournament series, the season closes with the completion of the last scheduled game. For teams participating in the tournament series, the season closes when the team has been eliminated from the tournament series or has won the state championship. After their school term has closed, players on teams that are still in tournament series may participate as independents on amateur teams without endangering their eligibility. C. Pitching Rule (Baseball Only) No player may pitch more than 10 innings on consecutive days. After one day s rest, a pitcher may again pitch as many as 10 innings on consecutive days. If a player pitched at all in any inning, the inning shall count as one full inning pitched. If a player is pitching in a game that is tied at the end of regulation play, he may finish such tie game regardless of the number of innings, provided he did not pitch the previous day or in the first game of a double-header on the same day. If a game is called due to weather or any other reason, innings pitched by any player in such game shall count against the pitcher. THIS RULE SHALL APPLY IN REGULAR-SEASON PLAY AND IN ALL TOURNAMENTS. Violation of the pitching rule will result in forfeiture of the contest for the playing of an ineligible athlete. D. In case it becomes necessary to postpone a regular season game after the umpires have arrived, but before any play takes place, the umpires shall be entitled to collect only half of the fee. School officials shall be responsible for making certain that game umpires are registered. Schools failing to use registered umpires shall be subject to a $15.00 fine for each non-registered umpire used. The umpire association to work the district tournament is to be determined by the schools participating in the district tournaments. E. In regular-season play, a suspended game shall be considered as no game and may be replayed unless the coaches of both teams mutually agree to continue the game from the point of suspension. In tournament play, a suspended game shall be continued from the point of suspension. F. No explosive devices shall be allowed during regular-season or tournament games. G. Participation in county, conference or invitational baseball tournaments shall count as three games. Participation in a county, conference or invitational softball tournament shall count as four games. NOTE: Schools hosting invitational tournaments involving out-of-state teams must have the tournament sanctioned by the TSSAA Office (Contact: Trina Melton tmelton@tssaa.org). H. Video taping or filming is permitted if the taping or filming is for private use or use by the two schools involved and not for public or commercial use. Video taping or filming must be done from the individual s seat. Individuals will not be allowed to use tripods. A school taping or filming its own game may use a tripod. A school will not be allowed to tape or film a game unless its team is involved in the game. All taping or filming by a school may be approved by the local Game Director or Tournament Director, and the Tournament Director or Game Director shall assign space, when available, from which the school may tape or film. Page 1 July 12, 2016
III. BASEBALL TOURNAMENT REGULATIONS (Division I) A. Tournament play shall begin at the district level provided both districts in the region have three or more teams. If this criterion is met, then each district shall determine the district winner and runner-up in any manner they choose. It is the responsibility of each district to select a site, tournament director, and determine dates for its respective tournament. This decision shall be made or approved by the Principals and/or Athletic Directors of the schools in the district. This meeting shall be called by the district coordinator. In selecting the site of the district tournament, consideration should be given to the facility that is in the best interest of the schools involved, the participants, and spectators. Adequate baseball facilities may include but are not limited to: 1. Ability to charge admission. 2. Availability of tarp. 3. Availability of lights. The district champion and runner-up as determined above shall advance to the regional tournament. In the semifinal game of the regional play-off series, the district winner will be the home team and the semifinal pairings shall be as follows: Winner District 1 vs. Second District 2 Winner District 2 vs. Second District 1 Winner District 3 vs. Second District 4 Winner District 4 vs. Second District 3 Winner District 5 vs. Second District 6 Winner District 6 vs. Second District 5 Winner District 7 vs. Second District 8 Winner District 8 vs. Second District 7 Winner District 9 vs. Second District 10 Winner District 10 vs. Second District 9 Winner District 11 vs. Second District 12 Winner District 12 vs. Second District 11 Winner District 13 vs. Second District 14 Winner District 14 vs. Second District 13 Winner District 15 vs. Second District 16 Winner District 16 vs. Second District 15 In the regional championship games in odd-numbered years, the odd-numbered districts in baseball (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15) shall be the host team. In even-numbered years, the even-numbered district shall be the host team. If the district winner from a district that is to host the regional finals is defeated, the district runner-up from that district shall host the regional finals. If both teams from a district that is to host the regional finals are defeated, the district winner from the other district shall host the regional finals. (Example: If it is District 1 s time to host the region and the District 1 winner is defeated the District 1 runner-up (provided that team wins) shall host the regional finals. If both teams from District 1 are defeated in regional semifinal games, the District 2 winner shall host the regional finals.) Page 2 July 12, 2016
B. Tournament play shall begin at the region level if one or both districts in the region have less than three teams in each district. If this criterion is met, then the teams within the region shall determine the region winner and runner-up in any manner they choose. District coaches shall select their regional tournament site on a rotation basis. In odd-numbered years, the odd-numbered districts in baseball (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15) shall select the regional tournament site. In even-numbered years, the even-numbered district shall select the regional tournament site. C. In all three classes the first- and second-place teams in each regional tournament shall be eligible to enter the state tournament competition. The first round of the state tournament shall be as follows: Site 1: Winner Region 1 vs. Second Region 2 Site 2: Winner Region 2 vs. Second Region 1 Site 3: Winner Region 3 vs. Second Region 4 Site 4: Winner Region 4 vs. Second Region 3 Site 5: Winner Region 5 vs. Second Region 6 Site 6: Winner Region 6 vs. Second Region 5 Site 7: Winner Region 7 vs. Second Region 8 Site 8: Winner Region 8 vs. Second Region 7 D. The Executive Director of TSSAA shall set the sectional sites in the area of the regional winner. In order to obtain adequate facilities, the game may be set at the regional winner s field. There will be one game at each sectional site. E. The eight winners of the sectional shall advance to the central tournament site. The tournament will consist of two pools of four teams that will play a double elimination tournament within each pool. The winner of each pool will then play a single game for the state championship. The draw shall be made so that if two teams from the same region reach the central tournament site, they will be drawn to opposite brackets. The draw shall be made by the Board of Control. F. If the host school s facilities are not acceptable for a play-off game, then it shall be the responsibility of the host school to secure adequate facilities. Facilities other than home facilities must be approved by the state office. G. The principal of the host school shall be the Game Director provided the game is played at his or her field. If additional facilities are secured other than those of the host team, the Game Director must be approved by the TSSAA state office. It shall be the duty of the Game Director to handle all financial arrangements for the game and to make a financial report to the state office and participating teams. H. When the established starting time of a playoff contest between two schools conflicts with the previously scheduled Commencement Exercises of one of the schools, and that school has Senior roster player(s), then at the request of the affected school, the contest will be rescheduled for a mutually agreed upon time and site that falls within the playoff timeline established by TSSAA. In the event the two schools do not agree on a rescheduled time and site, the TSSAA office will designate a starting game time and site. This applies to regional semifinals, regional finals, and sectional contests only. Page 3 July 12, 2016
IV. GIRLS SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT REGULATIONS (Division I) A. Tournament play shall begin at the district level provided both districts in the region have three or more teams. If this criterion is met, then each district shall determine the district winner and runner-up in any manner they choose. It is the responsibility of each district to select a site, tournament director, and determine dates for its respective tournament. This decision shall be made or approved by the Principals and/or Athletic Directors of the schools in the district. This meeting shall be called by the district coordinator. In selecting the site of the district tournament, consideration should be given to the facility that is in the best interest of the schools involved, the participants, and spectators. Adequate softball facilities may include but are not limited to: 1. Ability to charge admission. 2. Skinned infield. 3. Minimum fence requirements (185 235 ) Outfield fence requirements as set forth by the NFHS Rule Book. 4. Availability of lights. 5. Adequate dug-outs. The district champion and runner-up as determined above shall advance to the regional tournament. In the semifinal game of the regional play-off series, the district winner will be the home team and the semifinal pairings shall be as follows: Winner District 1 vs. Second District 2 Winner District 2 vs. Second District 1 Winner District 3 vs. Second District 4 Winner District 4 vs. Second District 3 Winner District 5 vs. Second District 6 Winner District 6 vs. Second District 5 Winner District 7 vs. Second District 8 Winner District 8 vs. Second District 7 Winner District 9 vs. Second District 10 Winner District 10 vs. Second District 9 Winner District 11 vs. Second District 12 Winner District 12 vs. Second District 11 Winner District 13 vs. Second District 14 Winner District 14 vs. Second District 13 Winner District 15 vs. Second District 16 Winner District 16 vs. Second District 15 In the regional championship games in even-numbered years, the odd-numbered districts (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15) shall be the host team. In odd-numbered years, the even-numbered districts shall be the host team. If the district winner from a district that is to host the regional finals is defeated, the district runner-up from that district shall host the regional finals. If both teams from a district that is to host the regional finals are defeated, the district winner from the other district shall host the regional finals. (Example: If it is District 1 s time to host the region and the District 1 winner is defeated the District 1 runner-up (provided that team wins) shall host the regional finals. If both teams from District 1 are defeated in regional semifinal games, the District 2 winner shall host the regional finals.) Page 4 July 12, 2016
B. Tournament play shall begin at the region level if one or both districts in the region have less than three teams in each district. If this criterion is met, then the teams within the region shall determine the region winner and runner-up in any manner they choose. District coaches shall select their regional tournament site on a rotation basis. In odd-numbered years, the odd-numbered districts in baseball (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15) shall select the regional tournament site. In even-numbered years, the even-numbered district shall select the regional tournament site. C. In all three classes the first- and second-place teams in each regional tournament shall be eligible to enter the state tournament competition. The first round of the state tournament shall be as follows: Site 1: Winner Region 1 vs. Second Region 2 Site 2: Winner Region 2 vs. Second Region 1 Site 3: Winner Region 3 vs. Second Region 4 Site 4: Winner Region 4 vs. Second Region 3 Site 5: Winner Region 5 vs. Second Region 6 Site 6: Winner Region 6 vs. Second Region 5 Site 7: Winner Region 7 vs. Second Region 8 Site 8: Winner Region 8 vs. Second Region 7 D. The Executive Director of TSSAA shall set the sectional sites in the area of the regional winner. In order to obtain adequate facilities, the game may be set at the regional winner s field. There will be one game at each sectional site. E. The eight winners of the sectional shall advance to the central site for an eight-team, double-elimination tournament. The draw shall be made so that if two teams from the same region reach the central tournament site, they will be drawn to opposite brackets. The draw shall be made by the Board of Control. F. If the host school s facilities are not acceptable for a play-off game, then it shall be the responsibility of the host school to secure adequate facilities. Facilities, other than home facilities, must be approved by the state office. G. The principal of the host school shall be the Game Director provided the game is played at his or her field. If additional facilities are secured other than those of the host team, the Game Director must be approved by the TSSAA state office. It shall be the duty of the Game Director to handle all financial arrangements for the game and to make a financial report to the state office and participating teams. H. When the established starting time of a playoff contest between two schools conflicts with the previously scheduled Commencement Exercises of one of the schools, and that school has Senior roster player(s), then at the request of the affected school, the contest will be rescheduled for a mutually agreed upon time and site that falls within the playoff timeline established by TSSAA. In the event the two schools do not agree on a rescheduled time and site, the TSSAA office will designate a starting game time and site. This applies to regional semifinals, regional finals, and sectional contests only. V. TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS A. In the district baseball and girls softball tournaments, the coaches of the schools in the tournament shall select an umpire association recognized by TSSAA to work the tournament. The entire group must have an opportunity to vote on the association to be used. B. In regional, sectional, and state tournament site games in baseball and girls softball, the umpires shall be assigned by the state office. C. An official must take and pass the Closed Book Examination to be eligible to work district, regional or any round of the state playoff series in baseball and girls softball. Page 5 July 12, 2016
VI. BASEBALL TOURNAMENT REGULATIONS (Division II: Class A and Class AA) A. In Class A, it is the responsibility of each region to select a site and tournament director and determine dates for its respective tournament. This decision shall be made or approved by the Principals and/or Athletic Directors of the schools in the region. This meeting shall be called by the region coordinator. In selecting the site of the region tournament, consideration should be given to the facility that is in the best interest of the schools involved, the participants, and spectators. Adequate baseball facilities may include but are not limited to: 1. Ability to charge admission. 2. Availability of tarp. 3. Availability of lights. B. In Class A, the top four teams from the East/Middle Region and the top four teams from the West Region shall be eligible to enter the state tournament. The Quarterfinal Round of the State Tournament shall be as follows. Site 1: #4 West @ #1 East/Middle Site 2: #3 East/Middle @ #2 West Site 3: #3 West @ #2 East/Middle Site 4: #4 East/Middle @ #1 West The Executive Director has the authority to select another site if the host s facilities are not adequate to host the game. The winners of the quarterfinal round games shall advance to the central tournament site. The State Tournament shall be a four team double elimination tournament. The bracket shall be set by the Executive Director upon completion of the quarterfinal games. C. In Class AA, there will be an East/Middle and a West Region. There shall be eleven teams that qualify for the post-season tournament. The top seven teams from the East/Middle Region and the top four teams from the West Region shall qualify for the post-season tournament. Seeding will be based on regular season records. The First Round sites shall be as follows: Site 1: #4 West @ #3 West Site 2: #7 East/Middle @ #4 East/Middle Site 3: #6 East/Middle @ #5 East/Middle The Quarterfinal Round sites shall be as follows: Site 1: First Round Site 1 Winner @ #1 East/Middle Site 2: #3 East/Middle @ #2 West Site 3: First Round Site 2 Winner @ #2 East/Middle Site 4: First Round Site 3 Winner @ #1 West The Executive Director has the authority to select another site if the host s facilities are not adequate to host the game. The winners of the quarterfinal round games shall advance to the central tournament site for a four team double elimination tournament. The first games of the state tournament shall be as follows: Semifinals: Quarterfinal Site 1 Winner vs. Quarterfinal Site 2 Winner Semifinals: Quarterfinal Site 3 Winner vs. Quarterfinal Site 4 Winner Page 6 July 12, 2016
D. When the established starting time of a playoff contest between two schools conflicts with the previously scheduled Commencement Exercises of one of the schools, and that school has Senior roster player(s), then at the request of the affected school, the contest will be rescheduled for a mutually agreed upon time and site that falls within the playoff timeline established by TSSAA. In the event the two schools do not agree on a rescheduled time and site, the TSSAA Office will designate a starting game time and site. This applies to region tournament games and the quarterfinal round of the State Tournament. H. In the state tournament, the umpires shall be assigned by the state office. Page 7 July 12, 2016
VII. GIRLS SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT REGULATIONS (Division II: Class A and Class AA) A. In Class A, it is the responsibility of each region to select a site and tournament director and determine dates for its respective tournament. This decision shall be made or approved by the Principals and/or Athletic Directors of the schools in the region. This meeting shall be called by the region coordinator. In selecting the site of the region tournament, consideration should be given to the facility that is in the best interest of the schools involved, the participants, and spectators. Adequate softball facilities may include but are not limited to: 1. Ability to charge admission. 2. Skinned infield. 3. Minimum fence requirements (185 235 ) Outfield fence requirements as set forth by the NFHS Rule Book. 4. Availability of lights. 5. Adequate dug-outs. B. In Class A, the top four teams from the East/Middle Region and the top four teams from the West Region shall be eligible to enter the state tournament. The quarterfinal round of the State Tournament shall be as follows. Site 1: #4 West @ #1 East/Middle Site 2: #3 East/Middle @ #2 West Site 3: #3 West @ #2 East/Middle Site 4: #4 East/Middle @ #1 West The Executive Director has the authority to select another site if the host s facilities are not adequate to host the game. The winners of the quarterfinal round games shall advance to the central tournament site. The State Tournament shall be a four team double elimination tournament. The bracket shall be set by the Executive Director upon completion of the quarterfinal games. C. In Class AA, there will be an East/Middle and a West Region. There shall be eleven teams that qualify for the post-season tournament. The top seven teams from the East/Middle Region and the top four teams from the West Region shall qualify for the post-season tournament. Seeding will be based on regular season records. The First Round sites shall be as follows: Site 1: #4 West @ #3 West Site 2: #7 East/Middle @ #4 East/Middle Site 3: #6 East/Middle @ #5 East/Middle The Quarterfinal Round sites shall be as follows: Site 1: First Round Site 1 Winner @ #1 East/Middle Site 2: #3 East/Middle @ #2 West Site 3: First Round Site 2 Winner @ #2 East/Middle Site 4: First Round Site 3 Winner @ #1 West The Executive Director has the authority to select another site if the host s facilities are not adequate to host the game. Page 8 July 12, 2016
The winners of the quarterfinal round games shall advance to the central tournament site for a four team double elimination tournament. The first games of the state tournament shall be as follows: Semifinals: Quarterfinal Site 1 Winner vs. Quarterfinal Site 2 Winner Semifinals: Quarterfinal Site 3 Winner vs. Quarterfinal Site 4 Winner D. When the established starting time of a playoff contest between two schools conflicts with the previously scheduled Commencement Exercises of one of the schools, and that school has Senior roster player(s), then at the request of the affected school, the contest will be rescheduled for a mutually agreed upon time and site that falls within the playoff timeline established by TSSAA. In the event the two schools do not agree on a rescheduled time and site, the TSSAA Office will designate a starting game time and site. This applies to region tournament games and the quarterfinal round of the State Tournament. H. In the state tournament, the umpires shall be assigned by the state office. Page 9 July 12, 2016
JUNIOR HIGH BASEBALL AND GIRLS SOFTBALL REGULATIONS If a tournament is held in baseball or girls softball, it shall be an invitational tournament. A team may enter only one such tournament. The Junior Division baseball pitching rule provides: A pitcher may pitch no more than twelve innings in any one calendar week (Sunday through Saturday) and no more than seven innings in any one day. After pitching four or more innings in any one game, the pitcher must have at least two days rest before he or she can pitch again. (For example, if a pitcher pitches four or more innings any time on Monday, that pitcher would not be able to pitch again until Thursday, etc. If a pitcher pitches to any batter, the pitcher is charged with an inning.) If removed as a pitcher, the player may play any other position. THE PITCHING RULE APPLIES TO ALL GAMES PLAYED BY A JUNIOR DIVISION BASEBALL TEAM. Page 10 July 12, 2016